How can I get my crews the training they need to qualify for the Diamond Quality and Paving Commendations?

Training Webinars:

Best Practices in Paving Webinar Series - This webinar series is an ideal resource to help train your paving crew so that they can provide a quality pavement in a safe work zone. Companies can use this series as a train the trainer, or to meet the training requirements in the Diamond Paving Commendation for their entire paving crew. Copies of each webinar will be provided to all registrants so that you can use them every season with your new crews. Click here to learn more.

Back to Basics Series - Producing quality asphalt pavement starts with a solid grasp of the basics. This series helps you and your employees brush up on the fundamentals for success. Whether you need to learn how a drum plant operates or how to choose the right roller to ensure compaction, Back to Basics will remind you and your employees of the little things we do every day to ensure we produce quality asphalt mixtures and pavements. This series is a great resource for the training requirements in the Diamond Quality and Diamond Paving Commendations. Click here to learn more.

Safety in the Workplace Series - Workplace safety is important. Implementing an effective safety program for your workplace is one of the best decisions a company can make — both for its workers and for its bottom line. This series helps you and your employees with innovations, practices, and procedures to ensure a safe workplace, and can be one of your resources to meet the training requirements of the Diamond Quality and Diamond Paving Commendations. Click here to learn more.

Pavia System's RoadReady Diamond Package – www.paviasystems.com – this course satisfies all of the training requirements of the Diamond Paving Commendation. You may purchase a separate program for each employee if you wish, but it is not required. This program can be used in a group setting for multiple employees.

Roadway Safety+ - this program can be used to satisfy the safety portion of your training program. To receive your free copy, contact Kelly Kanaras.

Other options are to use materials from World of Asphalt or CONEXPO/CON-Agg educational sessions, toolbox talks, safety huddles, individual instruction from a supervisor or other materials from the NAPA's store. Each individual employee does not need to attend the World of Asphalt or other sessions; rather these sessions can be used as a train the trainer event, and the trainer can then pass on the material to other employees.

What lab certifications are acceptable for the Diamond Quality and Diamond Paving Commendations?

The preferred lab certifications are state DOT certifications and Construction Materials Engineering Council (CMEC). Pavia and NICET certifications are not acceptable. The key components for an acceptable certification are: it must be for sampling and/or testing of asphalt mixtures and must include proficiency testing to verify that the candidate can run the test in accordance with established procedures. The certification must include proficiency in the following tests: RICE/Maximum Theoretical Specific Gravity, Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Specimens, AC Content, Aggregate Gradation. If you have questions on whether a specific certification is acceptable, please contact Carol Metzger or Kelly Kanaras.

My state DOT does not offer a laboratory certification program. Where can I get the required certification?

You can get it from a neighboring state's DOT. For example, many technicians in Washington state get certified by the Oregon DOT. Or you can use Construction Materials Engineering Council. If you do discover another program that encompasses the required tests and incorporates in-person proficiency testing, please contact us for approval.

Do I need to have an outside-third party signature on my affidavit for Diamond Achievement?

If you are completing an application for a new plant, or a full renewal, a signature from an outside-third party is required. If you are filling out a streamlined renewal, it is not required.

Who can sign the outside-third party affidavit?

The following individuals can sign the outside-third party affidavit: an elected official (mayor, councilman, representative, etc.); officer of a nearby homeowner's association; official of a local civic group (Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce); Boy Scout or Girl Scout leader whose troop has toured the plant; a teacher at a nearby school whose class has toured the plant, an engineer from the city or county; SAPA Director; a consultant that specializes in asphalt plant operations; or an employee from the DOT, local highway department, or public works agency. For all others, please contact Kelly Kanaras for approval.

I am completing a Diamond Achievement application for a temporary plant. Which affidavit do I use?

If the plant is operated on land owned by your company, use Temporary Site Affidavit – Form 1. You will need to have a signature on the affidavit from a member of the community. This person should not be employed by your company. If the plant is operated on land owned by someone else, use Temporary Site Affidavit – Form 2. You will need to have a signature on the property affidavit from the property owner. In both cases, you will need to fill out the Locations on Which Plant Was Temporarily Sited form.

I've earned a Diamond Commendation. How do I earn a return on my investment?

NAPA has developed two flyers to help you with the marketing of your Diamond Commendations. One is for you to provide to potential customers, and shows them the value of working with a Diamond Commendation recipient. Click here to access this flyer. And, since Diamond Commendations work best when you tell others about them, the other flyer lists many ideas for your company to market your Diamond Commendations. Click here to access that flyer.

I need a username and password to access the online applications. Who should I contact?

Please contact LeAndrea Cunningham, Manager of Membership Services, or if she is unavailable, Kelly Kanaras, Associate Director of Member Programs. Please provide your name, company, address, phone number and title.

In the past, someone else processed the Diamond applications, and I can't access them. How can I get access to these applications?